Ayotte Backs Common Sense Proposal To Reopen Government, Repeal Medical Device Tax

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) announced today that she's backing a common sense plan to immediately reopen the federal government and repeal the onerous medical device tax - which 79 senators voted in favor of repealing earlier this year. Ayotte has joined with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in backing a proposal that would fund the government for six months, repeal the medical device tax, and provide federal agencies with greater flexibility to fund priorities under sequestration, subject to congressional oversight.

"Both sides need to work together to immediately end the government shutdown," said Senator Ayotte. "This common sense proposal will reopen the government while also achieving the bipartisan goal of repealing the medical device tax, which members of both parties strongly oppose. The plan also includes a bipartisan proposal to give federal agencies greater flexibility to fund priorities under sequestration."

Ayotte continued: "The Collins-Murkowski-Ayotte plan incorporates proposals that both parties have supported. With the President and congressional leaders having failed to end the shutdown, the responsible plan we've put down on paper will open government and move us past the current stalemate."

During consideration of the budget resolution earlier this year, the Senate voted 79 to 20 to approve a bipartisan measure aimed at repealing the medical device tax, which took effect on January 1 as part of Obamacare.

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